Oil-shale-distillation apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet J C. D. TRPP OIL SHALE DISTILLATION APPARATUS Filed July l2. 1924 Feb. 7, 1928.

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Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES CHESTER D. TRIPP, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

OIL-SEALE-DISTILLATION APPARATUS.

Application led July 12, 1924. Serial No. 725,113.

This invention has to lo with certain improvements in the distillation of oil shale. The invention has reference particularly to a system and apparatus whereby the distillation can be practiced as a continuous process as distinguished. from a bulk process.

In connection with the above, it is a. further object of the invention to provide an apparatus ot' very simple form and rugged construction for practicing the process, which apparatus will also be so constructed as to effectively distill the volatile matters from the earth \Y matters very completely and substantially without deterioration or destruction of the volatile and gaseous constituents. l

A further objectof the invention is to associate a suitable condenser' with the distilling apparatus in a more or less direct manner. By so doing, the entire process up to the final delivery of .the condensed oils and fixed gases, etc., can be performed in a unitary structure.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the apparatus that danger of explosion will be practically eliminated. but so that if any explosion should occur the pressures generated thereby will be instantly released through amply large openings to avoid creation of dangerous pressures.

Briefly stated, one feature of my invention consists in the provision of a bath of molten metal having a temperature appropriate for the distillation of the shales. This distillation temperature should preferably lie between 500 and 1500 Fah. Pure lead has a melting point of about 608 Fah.. and

does not boil until Well above 1000 Fah. zinc melts at a temperature of substantially 700 'f Fah.. and does not boil until about'lll" Fah.; and a number of other plain metals have a suitable range of temperatures between their melting and boiling points for the proper and effective distillation of the 7, shales. There are also numerous alloys of metals possessing the necessary requirements as concerns melting and boiling temperatures. such as an alloy of equal parts of tin and lead. This has a melting point. of about 400 Fah., and a boiling point much higher.

Furthermore, molten metals have a very much higher specific gravity than that ot' the shales to be distilled, so that the shales will also tend to float on the surface thereof. IT-ndcr these circumstances. it only becomes necessary to pimide means for effectively transferring shale materials over the surface of the molten metal from point of raw shale delivery to point ot' gangue discharge, together with means for effectively preventing loss of distilled material and ingress of air.

According to one feature of my present invention, I provide a bath of molten metal such as lead or alloy within a closed chamber. Iv also provide means at one side of said chamber for introducing the raw shales in either continuous or intermittent fashion and for substantially preventing any ingress of air or egress ot' distilled materials. At another point in said chamber I provide means for delivering the gangue without loss of distilled material or ingress of air. Within the chamber I provide means for transferring the shale material along over the surface of the molten bath. Said means may be so arranged that the physical transfer of the shale materials is accompanied by a. slight dip ing thereof beneath the surface of the mo ten metal. By this arrangement theshale material is brought into direct contact-with the molten metal and the consequent benefits and advantages of such contact are presented. This is to be distinguished from any arrangement in which the shale material is carried in pans or floats which themselves rest upon the surface of the molten metal.

A convenient arrangement is one in which a series of paddle wheels are located inside of the chamber having radial paddles so placed as to dip slightly beneath the surface of the molten metal and thus cause the desired transfer of shale material.

I also preferably rovide a condenser or the like in conjunction with the chamber, so that the vapors distilled off from the shale may be immediately condensed and recovered together with the fixed gases which do not condense.

In the drawings I have illustrated one construction of apparatus for practicing this invention, but I Wish it clearly understood that the same is purely illustrative and is not intended as a limitation on the scope or nature of the inventiom- In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows :i longitudinal vertical section through a typical apparatus embodying and capable of practicing the features of the present invention:

Fig. 2 shows a cross section on the line 2-2 compared to Fig. 1:

Fig. 5 shows a fragmentary perspective view ot' one otI the joints otf the chain of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 shows a fragmentary sectional view of a inodilied form of sealing connection between the upper and lower portions ot' the chamber structure.

The structure illustrated includes a lower pan like section T, as shown in Fig. 1. The same has the floor 8, side walls 9 and 10 and end walls 11 and 12.

The chamber also includes a top section 13 of pan form, thelower peripheral edge 14 of which sets into an encircling recess of the upper lip portion 15 of the bottom section 7. lf desired, suitable sealing material 16. such asclay or the like, may be worked into the recess after the parts are assembled to insure a more perfect and gas tight joint. t

At one end the chamber 13 is provided with an outwardlv reaching throat 17 which terminates in a hopper 18 into which the raw shale material is introduced. A screw 19 on a shaft 20 extends through the throat 17 and may be driven from the outside by a worm gear 21, worm 22, and sprocket 23. A suitable bracket24 may be rovided inside of the'chamber to support t ie inner end of the shaft 20.

At its other end the bottom section 7 is preferably depressed, as shown at 25, so as to establish a depressed pocket 26. One or more paddle wheels extend transversely of the chamber and have radially reaching paddles adapted to co-operate with the surface of the molten metal and thus transfer the distilling material from the point of introduction towards the point of discharge. These paddle wheels are indicated at 27. 28, 29 and 30. Each is shown as including a drum having a series of radial paddles 31. The surface of the molten metal is shown by the broken line 32. Preferably the drums stand just above this surface and the paddles will, therefore, co-operate with the surface as the drums are rotated. They may, in some cases, dip slightly below the surface.

It is noted in Fig. 1, that the paddles' of the consecutive drums stand at such positions that they break through the surface in consecutive alternation as the drums are rotated in the same direction.

Adjacent to the last drum of the series is located a carrier 33 consisting of side chains.

such as illustrated in Fia. 4, together with outwardly reaching paddles 34. The side chains are of any convenient form, but each paddle IH preferably has its end portions extended down in the form of loops 35 which are pivoted upon the same pins 36 which join the chain llnlrs together. Said paddles are also provided with right angular reaching arms 3T facing in the proper direction to rest upon the adjacent chain links and be supported therebyv when the resisting pressure of the vangue material tends to turn the paddles backwardly, and said arms also co-operate to close the spaces between the consecutive paddles.

The chains of the carrier 33 pass over sprockets mounted on shafts 38 and 39 inside of the housing. The shaft 38 is so placed that when the carrier travels in the direction of the arrows of Fig. 1, the paddles parsing over the sprockets ot' the shaft 38 then dip beneath the surface of the molten metal and submerge the gangue thereunder, carrying the same along to a final point of discharge at the depressed portion or pocket 26.

Above the carrier 33 at a point just in4 advance of the pocket 26 is a downwardly reaching weir 40, which terminates beneath the surface of the molten metal. This establishes a as seal to prevent loss ot' vapors and fixe gases from the chamber.

'l`he gangue material delivered into the pocket 26 will immediately rise through the molten metal and rest upon the surface of the same and accumulate within a chamber 41. This chamber in turn communicates by an opening 42 with a side chamber 43 preferably having a water bath 44 in its lower portion. AThe gangue material works over through the opening 42 and falls down into thev water bath where it is quenched and may thence be removed through any suitable side delivery connection such as a door 15, or a stream of water flowing along through the lower portion 44 of the chamber will serve to continuously carry awayv the gangue material.

The vapors and fixed gages distilled pass to a condenser 46 preferably located above the distilling chamber. This condenser. as illustrated, includes the outer cylindrical shell 4T having the end heads 48 and 49. Between these end heads there reach three groups of tubes 50. the groups of tubes being designated 51, 52 and 53 respectively. Each group illustrated includes six tubes of relatively small size, although. manifestly the number and size of the tubes is immaterial as far as the invention is concerned.

Adjacent to the end heads 48 and 49 are the water heads 54 and 55 respectively. T hc water head 54 is provided with a segment tal partition 56 which isolates the group rf.'

tubes 53 at that end. The water head 55 is Lemma provided with a segmental partition 57 wlich isolates the group of tubes 52 at that en Cooling water introduced through a connection 58 reaches the group of tubes 52 and tiows forwardly through said group to the water head l. It is there transferred to the group ot' tubes l through which it flows back to the head 55. It there tlou's sidewise to the groupot tubes 523 and thence forwardly through said group to the head 64 and jis discharged through the connection 59. The upper portion of the distilling shell connects to the condenser shel-l 46 bya series of connections 60. 6l, 62. and 63. These may be of the same size or of progressively smaller sizes` as the delivery end of the shell is approached.

These connections 60, 6l, 62. and 63should be of such a nature, or soconnected into the shell of the condenser, asto prevent the back flow of condensed material through. them to the distillation chamber. For example, they may be connected into the side portion ot' the condenser shell, as indicated in= Fig. l.

The condensable vapors are condensed within the. shell 46 by contact: withthe chilled tubes thereof, and may be recovered through a connection 64. The txedgases may be taken olf through connections and 66 which are brought. together into a discharge passage 67. v

Reference to Fig. 2,-.in particular, will show that each of the drums 2, :28, 29-'and 30 is carried on a transverse shaft 68.. One end 69 of said shaft. is jou-rnaled within a plate 70 whiclis removably mounted on one side of the chamber, and the otherend'of the shaft is journaled in a smiling-'box Z1 Within a plate 72 removably mounted on the other side of the chamber'. The outerrend 73 of the shaft. car-ries a sprocket 74 by which it may be driven.

The pla-tes 70 and T2. preferably cover over relatively large openings, suc-h as175, said openings bein-g of sufficient size to permit the drums to be removed therethronghindi'- vidually when the end platesare taken o.

All of the drums, together-.withthe shaft 38 of the carrier 33-and the worm shaft for the worm feed may be driven byl acommon chain 76 passing over a drive sprocket 77 mounted on the drive shaft 78, the chain travel being in the direction of the arrows ot Fig.l 1. A l Y The bottom section 7 is heated in any Suitable manner, but useis preferably-madeof vras or powdered coal or a spray of1 shale material. The burner is` designatedA diagrammatically by the numeral 79.

Inasmuch as the molten metal such as lead has a relatively low heat conductivity, it is: desirable to increase the area of contact o' the molten metal with the door of the chamber as-much as possible. Consequently,

I have illustrated. such floor as being colrugatecl, as shown in Fig. 2. Other forms or arrangements may be substituted. However, the use of longitudinal corrugations is desirable, since the increased area of contact is obtained in conjunction with an increased outside surface. area exposed to the flame and also in conjunction with a minimum amount of obstruction to the movement of the flame.

In the modified arrangement of Fig. 6, I have shown the channel around the upper edge l5 of the bottom section T as being narrower at the top than at its bottom so as to hold the sealing-material 16 in place to better advantage.

In case cf vapor. pressure inside of the chamber greaterthan the atmosphere there will be a tendency to lose distilled vapors and gases out through the throat 17 and past the screw and raw material. On the contrary, in case of pressure inside -the chamber les; than a atmosphere there will be a 'tendency to draw air .into the chamber through this. throat.- Inthe latter case it,- nition and explosion` might take place within the chamber. TheV removal of fixed gases through. the connection-67 should be oonducted in such a wayas to maintain the chamber pressure practically at atmospheric. Or this may be done by properly adjusting the amount. of cooling action by cooling water.

- Asa-precaution, I have illustrated a series of relativelyv large-explosion doors 81, 82, and 83 in the uppercportionof the distillation .chamber, and. also another explosion door 84.' inf the u-ppenportion of the chamber 43.- These Aexplosion doors are seated either by gravity or spx-ings with suflicient pressures toA avoidloss of vapors and fixed gases, but will-*yield outwardly upon any material increase of chalnber.: pressure, or what is known as a sand-seal may be used.

VVhileI` have herein shown and described only certain embodiments ofathe features of my present inventionyfstillvl. do not intend to limit myself to the-sam.e,.except.as I may do soin the claims.

i 1.-' Apparatus4 for distillation-of oil shale and-the like comprising incombnaton an elongated distillation chamber having a corrugated floor with adepression atth'e delivery -end.'an inverted Weir above said depression. said chamber. being' adapted to con,- tain-a bath of. molten metalen the floor and within said depression to submerge the lower edge of theweir, a burner beneatlrthe floor, a series ofdrn-msextending' across and rotatably-mounted within the chamber above the upper surface of the bat-h of molten metal. radial paddles on said drums adapted to cri-operate with the surface of the molten metal. a conveyor at the discharge end of the bathl reaching from a position'adjacent to the last drum of the series down into the aforesaid depression at a point beneath the Weir, a seriesV of radialblades on said con-V veyor, means for driving the drums and conveyor in the same direction of'rotation for the trans'ferof material continuousl Y from the inlet end of the chamber toward t e Weir andto carry said material down and through the bath of molten metal to be discharged beyond the weir, means for introducing raw' i fixed gasesfrom the upper portion of the condenser chamber, and a series of outwardly swingin explosion doors' in the upper portion o the distillation chamber, substantially hs' described.

2. Apparatus for distillation of oil shale and the like comprising in combination a 'distillation chamber having a depression at the delivery'end, an inverted Weir above said depressiomgsaid chamber being adapted to contain a bath of molten metal -on`the floor and within said depression to submer e thelower edge ofthe weir, a burner beneai the-ztloor, a series of-druma extendin across and rotatably mounted within the c amber above the upper 'surface of the bath of molten metal, radial paddles on said drums adapted to vcio-operate with the surface of the moltenv metal, a conveyor at the dischar e end of thejbath reaching'from a position a jacent to the last drum of the series down into the aforesaid depression at a point bei neath'tltie Weir, a series of radial blades on said conveyor, means for drivin thdrums andconveyor in the same direction of rotation for the transfer of materialcontinuously from the inlet end of the chamber toward the `Weir and to carry said material down and through the bath .if molten metal to be discharged beyond the Weir, means for introducing raw shale material into the chamber above the molten metal at a point in adi vance of the first drum of the series, means permitting removal of gangue from the chamber at a point beyond the Weir, asurface condenser above the chamber including a vapor chamber and a series of longitudinally-extending water tubes reaching therethrough, a series of vapor connections from the upper portion of the distillation chamber into the condenser chamber, -a-delivery connection for condensed oils in the coni,ese,14a

denser chamber, a delivery vconnection for fixed gases from the condenser chamber,l`

ably mounted Witliin the chamber adjacent to' the upper surface of the bath of molten metal and having radial paddles adapted to co-operate with the surface of the molten metal as said members are rotated, a submerged conveyor at the discharge end of the bath vreaching from a osition adjacent to the last rotatable mem er of the series into the aforesaid depression'at a 'point beneath the Weir, means for driving the rotatable members and conveyor in the same direction of rotation for the transfer of material continuously from the inlet end of the chamber towards the.weir and to carrysaid material down and through tlie bath of molten metal to be discharged beyond the Weir, i'rieans for introducing raw shale materialinto the chamber at a point in advance of the first rotatable member of the series, means permitting removal of gang-ue from the chamber at a point'be ond the weir, and suitable vconnectionsfor tiie delivery of distillation roducts from the upper portion of the cham er, substantiall as described.'\

4. Apparatus for disti lation of oil sli'ale .andthe like comprising i'n combination a 4distillation chamber, an. inverted Weir at one end-thereof said chamber being adapted to contain a batli the weir, means for heating the floor, means for introducing raw shale material into the chamber at the side opposite to said Weir, means for transferring the distilling material along the surfacepf the molten`metal towards the weir, means for delivering gangue beneath the Weir to a point of discharge, and suitable connections-for the ,de-

vlive'ryot` distillation products from the upper portion of .the chamber, substantially as described.

5. Apparatus for the distillation 'of,oil,

shale and .the like comprising in combination ia distillation chamber adapted to contain a molten metal bath on its floor, means for introducing raw shale material into said cham A lier at onepointfan inverted weir in con- )unctior'i with4 them'olten metal bath at a point of exit from said chamber, a gangue receiving chamber beyond said Weir, means of molten metal on its floor to a height to submerge the lower edge of` isc for submerging gangue material beneath the Weir and through the molten metal bath for delivery by flotation into the "anfrue receiv- D ing chamber, a water bath adjacent to the.

gangue receiving chamber, a. connection for the delivery of gangue from the receiving chamber to the water bath, and means for removing quenched gangne material by means of the Water bath, substantially as described.

6. Apparatus for the distillation of oil shale and the like comprising in combination a distillation chamber adapted to contain a molten metal bath on its floor, means for introducing raw shale material into said chamber at one point, an inverted Weir in conjunction with the molt-en metal bath at a point of exit from said chamber, a gangue receiving chamber beyond said Weir, means for submerging gangue material beneath the Weir and through the molten metal bath for delivery by flotation into the gangue receiving chamber, a water bath adjacent to the gangue receiving chamber, and a connection for the delivery of gangue from the receiving chamber to the water bath, substantially as described.

CHESTER D. TRIPP. 

